Just days out from the biggest test of Daniel Dubois’s career, one of his sparring partners and rising heavyweight star, Moses Itauma, has warned opponent Oleksandr Usyk that the Brit is ‘underrated.’
25 year old Dubois is still relatively green in terms of his professional record. He’s had plenty of knockout wins, including over the likes of Trevor Byran and Bogan Dinu, though took a big loss to Joe Joyce back in November 2020, struggled to a points win over the veteran Kevin Johnson in 2018 and was knocked down three times – admittedly due to a knee injury – against Kevin Lerena in his last outing.
That final win saw him manoeuvre himself into position for this week’s huge world title tilt at Ukrainian southpaw Usyk at Stadion Wroclaw in Wroclaw for the WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO belts.
Many believe Dubois, whose knockout ratio is 94%, has only a puncher’s chance against the fancy feet, fast hands and sharp mind of Olympic gold medalist and multi-weight champion Usyk, who fans have been calling ‘a tank’ after his latest Instagram post.
Speaking to IFL TV, however, Dubois’s sparring partner and highly rated British prospect, Itauma, thinks differently.
“People are writing him off but I certainly ain’t.
He’s a massive puncher. In this heavyweight division, it just takes one punch. I believe Daniel can knock him out. I’m not saying he will, but he can punch.”
He was then asked how hard Dubois punches.
“He’s deffo up there. He’s underrated in quickness too. People obviously see the punching power and are overwhelmed but he’s quick for a heavyweight too if you compare him to Joe Joyce and all them lot.”
Should Dubois pull off the upset, it would be one of the greatest-ever world title victories on away soil for any Brit.
As for 18 year-old Itauma, he’s looking to make a name for himself and has set himself the ambitious target of breaking Mike Tyson’s record and becoming the youngest ever heavyweight champion.